Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) will  proceed with plans to repair or replace structurally deficient roads and bridges throughout the state.

Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell, chair of the House Appropriations & Budget Committee for Transportation, said transportation is receiving about $4 million additional for Fiscal Year 2021 than for FY20, once all bonding and debt structures and transportation funds are taken into account.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting budget shortfall, state agencies saw an average of 4% cuts to their Fiscal Year 2021 budgets, a significantly lower cut than had originally been anticipated. The Legislature approved the FY21 state budget via veto override.

ODOT got a $180 million reduction to ODOT’s highway construction program, with authorization for the agency to borrow $200 million to keep projects on track and to make bond payments for the first year.

ODOT commission members approved contracts for two major interstate projects that will greatly affect traffic in the Oklahoma City metro area, with work on both expected to begin in late summer.

The first is a nearly $80 million project to replace six bridges on I-40 in Del City, all of which are in poor condition and require constant maintenance and repairs. Five of the structures are rated structurally deficient. The second project is a nearly $28 million project to rehabilitate the concrete pavement and nine bridges on I-44 between I-40 and just south of I-240 on the city’s southwest side.

The commission also learned that the Transportation Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act loan for the Gilcrease Expressway project in Tulsa was approved by the federal government in May. The project is being built by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and includes ODOT as a partner along with other local entities.

Commissioners also voted to award 35 contracts totaling more than $157 million to improve highways, roads and bridges in 28 counties across the state.

The nine-member Oklahoma Transportation Commission oversees the state’s transportation development and awards contracts for road and bridge construction monthly. Contracts, bid information, the commission’s monthly agenda and project details can be viewed at www.odot.org.